Hang fires, Jewel trigger of firing pin???

whin4

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Joined
Apr 26, 2007
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I just recently got back from a couple of weeks in the bush and on two occasions I was all lined up on a deer and after squeezing the trigger what seemed like a lot harder than normal the rifle did not fire. The first time I thought perhaps the rifle was not coked, but then as soon as I started to lift the bolt, BANG! Thinking that this was caused by a dud primer or something I thought nothing of it.

The second time I did not touch the bolt but I had taken my finger off the trigger for about one second, then BANG.

This second time I was more a wear of what was going on and I noticed that the firing pin did not release when the trigger was pulled.

I dry fired the rifle dozens of times after this and everything seemed to work fine. But then a couple of hours later I tried dry firing it again and on pulling the trigger nothing happened, as soon as I started to lift the bolt the firing pin released and, click. This was repeated several times, tapping the side of the stock would also release the firing pin.

That night I took the bolt apart and gave it a good oiling and have since fired about a dozen rounds without a problem

The rifle was a 6 month old stainless Rem 700 with a newly fitted Jewel trigger. I had fired about 20 round with the new trigger without a problem before the first hang fire.

Oiling the bolt seemed to help but I struggle to believe this was the problem as it was very clean and not rusted or gummed up in any way. I have heard that Jewel triggers can be susceptible to dirt but this trigger has never gotten even slightly dirty.

Does any one have an idea what might have caused this? I fitted the trigger myself and I'm no gunsmith, could I have done something wrong?

Thanks
 
I just recently got back from a couple of weeks in the bush and on two occasions I was all lined up on a deer and after squeezing the trigger what seemed like a lot harder than normal the rifle did not fire. The first time I thought perhaps the rifle was not coked, but then as soon as I started to lift the bolt, BANG! Thinking that this was caused by a dud primer or something I thought nothing of it.

The second time I did not touch the bolt but I had taken my finger off the trigger for about one second, then BANG.

This second time I was more a wear of what was going on and I noticed that the firing pin did not release when the trigger was pulled.

I dry fired the rifle dozens of times after this and everything seemed to work fine. But then a couple of hours later I tried dry firing it again and on pulling the trigger nothing happened, as soon as I started to lift the bolt the firing pin released and, click. This was repeated several times, tapping the side of the stock would also release the firing pin.

That night I took the bolt apart and gave it a good oiling and have since fired about a dozen rounds without a problem

The rifle was a 6 month old stainless Rem 700 with a newly fitted Jewel trigger. I had fired about 20 round with the new trigger without a problem before the first hang fire.

Oiling the bolt seemed to help but I struggle to believe this was the problem as it was very clean and not rusted or gummed up in any way. I have heard that Jewel triggers can be susceptible to dirt but this trigger has never gotten even slightly dirty.

Does any one have an idea what might have caused this? I fitted the trigger myself and I'm no gunsmith, could I have done something wrong?

Thanks

this is why I don't use a Jewell trigger in the field. They need to be cleaned on a regular basis (almost daily in dusty conditions). Try flooding the trigger group with lighter fluid (of course you need to remove it). Then after it dires you can lube it with whatever you choose. I once did a Cooper rimfire that came with a Jewell trigger, and it wasn't uncommon to have to clean the trigger group twice in a match. I finally quit using oil in it, and went with powdered graphite. That's why I didn't install one on my 700 varmit rifle, as they just are not dust and mud friendly
gary
 
If you go to Jewels trigger manual, it says to flush with lighter fluid but DO NOT lubricate! Any oil or lubricant will attract and hold dirt and dust and cause a problem. Keep'm dry. Also below is the link to another thread on this same topic.
Dave

http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/f19/jewell-trigger-19999/

THE JEWELL TRIGGER MANUAL

your correct, but in the back of my head I say they're nuts! Dry graphite worked very well on the Cooper. But as I said they are not made to work in the field, but a very controlled enviorment. Plus I really don't wanta be shooting groundhogs with a guy using a 2oz. trigger!
gary
 
I've seen this before with a Jewell. If there is anything between the cocking piece of the bolt or the sear of the trigger this can happen, at least that was what caused it in our case. Make sure the safety of the trigger isn't contacting any part of the stock too, they are bigger than a factory unit.

I don't use any wet lubricant on a trigger. Wet lubricants attract dust, dirt and grime and can cause things like...a hangfire. In cold it can lock up your trigger. I use Moly-D, graphite or some other dry lube on a trigger if it's needed. Of course always follow manufacturers recommendations.
 
I have seen the same thing happen with Jewels on more than one occation. As already stated above, I fulsh them about 3 times with lighter fluid and blow them out with dry compressed air. The lighter fluid as it dries leaves a very light film of lube. This is why the LF makes the perfect cleaner. I use no other lube.

Jeff gun)gun)
 
The cleaning and lube advise is spot on, but the two things you should check are the trigger mounting pins(they should slip freely through the trigger-POLISH with 600 paper). The most probable cause though is the overtravel is adjusted too tight, back it off to give you more clearance.
 
your correct, but in the back of my head I say they're nuts! Dry graphite worked very well on the Cooper. But as I said they are not made to work in the field, but a very controlled enviorment. Plus I really don't wanta be shooting groundhogs with a guy using a 2oz. trigger!
gary

Gary I have 20 of them in sporters and in the 2oz match version in competition rifles. All installed and in some cases blueprinted by Speedy Gonzalez---been in rain dust and never hyad a problem of any kind. Maybe it was the Smith or maybe the trigger puller is not keeping the trigger maintained IAW with Jewell instructions...

Most problems with firearms are attributable to the Trigger Puller not knowing how to maintain or the Smith not building the firearm correctly. Granted most folks have no idea if the firearm was build perfectly or not but when you deal with performance products special precautions are necessary like keeping the trigger clean for instance.

Maybe Arnold is nuts but I have never had an issue when following his recommendations..
 
'The most probable cause though is the overtravel is adjusted too tight, back it off to give you more clearance. '

BINGO -that's most probably the reason for your problems .

Adjust exactly in the order that the instructions say.
For some reason it does make a difference.


I shot a Jewel in a Witchata 1375 for about ten years at a range that has fine dust blowing somedays.

I had "0" problems with that trigger in that time set as light as possible - under 2 oz.

The trigger is on a hanger system -undo one bolt and it all drops out for cleaning .



Many years ago two welder friends were going to a job in Northern Canada by float plane.
They watched as a rifle was fastened to the float struts outside .

One turned to the other at that point and said "Glenn would not like that ."

Don't use moly disulphide lubricants in a trigger .
It will act as an abrasive in pins etc- see Merril Martin in Precision shooting .
The same thing applys to bolt sleeve threads.....



Stonewall
 
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In my humble opinion I would think it was the fireing pin because if you look at a schematic of
the Jewel trigger When you pull the trigger the upper leaver is unlatched and is pushed out of the way and cannot hold the fireing pin block and it will release the fireing pin.

However it is not unusual for the fireing pin to stick due to heavy lube and cold weather, a
serpentine looking fireing pin spring, dirty fireing pin assembly, totally dry or as someone
said the over travel is adjusted to tight holding the sear barely engaged. Back it off 1/8
to 1/4 turn and check it.

There is a procedure from Jewel to adjust the trigger and it must be followed ."To The Letter".

J E CUSTON
 
I have seen the same thing happen with Jewels on more than one occation. As already stated above, I fulsh them about 3 times with lighter fluid and blow them out with dry compressed air. The lighter fluid as it dries leaves a very light film of lube. This is why the LF makes the perfect cleaner. I use no other lube.

Jeff gun)gun)

What kind of lighter fluid do you use? Zippo?

Thanks
 
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